This week marks the premier of Marvel’s Black Panther, but this is not just any other Marvel movie. This marks major milestones in the movie industry. Before we look at how this movie is making an impact, do you know the origins of Black Panther?

Who are the Black Panthers?

Also known as the Black Panther Party, were a political party founded in 1966 to challenge police brutality against the African-American community in the United States. Black Panther Party founders Huey Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panthers in the wake of the assassination of black nationalist Malcolm X and after police in San Francisco shot and killed an unarmed black teen named Matthew Johnson.

Why were they so important to African-American history in America?

The Black Panthers were part of the larger Black Power movement, which emphasized black pride, community control and unification for civil rights. The Black Panthers started a number of popular community social programs, including free breakfast programs for school children and free health clinics in 13 African American communities across the United States. The Black Panther Party officially dissolved in 1982.

Why is the Black Panther movie making in impact?

It’s a movie about what it means to be black in both America and Africa—and, more broadly, in the world. This also is also a movie featuring an African-American director as well as a predominately black cast. Its themes challenge institutional bias and its narrative includes prismatic perspectives on black life and tradition.

Happy Valentines day! This is typically the day we honor and celebrate the loving relationships with have in our lives. Whether you are in a romantic relationship or not, this is a great opportunity to reflect on any relationships you do have in your life.

Do you know what it looks like to have a healthy relationship? What are some things one can do to cultivate better relationships with others?

Here are a few tips:

Empathy: The most successful relationship dynamics are when each person involved in the relationship has a strong sense of empathy. Empathy basically means that you are consciously thinking about how another person might feel and acting respectfully and thoughtfully accordingly. Empathy is the foundation and core of any successful relationship.

Compromise and Fairness: All relationships should have some feeling of reciprocity. This means both parties in the relationship do not feel like the relationship is one sided or uneven. People who consistently take from others and expect people to give and bend over backwards for them are people who jeopardize relationships of real substance.

Boundaries: If you find yourself in a friendship/relationship with someone who has little or no empathy, is not thoughtful or emotionally generous, is flaky, does not compromise, or only asks for things of you when they need something from you, put up a boundary and either distance yourself from the person or end the relationship entirely. There is no point in having relationships that make you feel bad, drain you and leave you resentful.

Learn more tips about healthy relationships by visiting these resources:

NOVA Sexual Assault Services is celebrating Healthy Relationships this week in February. This event highlights all healthy and positive things in any type of relationship. To know more about the events or to find out more about Sexual Assault Services contact SAS directly at nova.sas@nvcc.edu or 703-338-0834.

It’s never too early to start transfer planning! This month, ELI has several events scheduled to assist in the transfer process and provide with you all the information you need to know to plan your transfer to a 4-year college or university!

Transfer Planning Webinar: Wednesday February 14th 12-1pm

This one-hour webinar will discuss the basics of transfer academic planning; transfer resources and tools, including discussion on guaranteed admission agreements and articulation agreements; and transfer application tips. Register Now!

Transfer Q&A: Wednesday February 21st 12-1pm

Have questions about transferring? Stop by this virtual open forum to chat with a NOVA transfer counselor.This one-hour webinar will discuss the basics of transfer planning; information about Guaranteed Admission Agreements, Articulation Agreements, and Transfer Guides; and a web tour of NOVA’s transfer website.Register Now!

Also check out recordings of past transfer events!

Transfer Planning: Alumni Transfer Panel

This recording highlights a panel of NOVA/ELI alumni students who have transferred to 4-year institutions. Learn more regarding the transfer process and listen to questions answered about their varied experiences. Information will be discussed around transfer topics such as Guaranteed Admission Agreements, understanding transfer requirements, and NOVA’s transfer resources. Request the recording now!

Join students from across the College for the second annual Student Life Diversity Conference hosted on the Loudoun campus on Friday, February 23rd from 8:30am-4:00pm. This years conference theme is Boldly NOVA; Creating Inclusive Communities.

By participating in this conference, our goal is to help you achieve the following:

identify leadership characteristics to inform how to lead self and others

compile best practices to use in creating inclusive communities

understand the multiple dimensions of diversity and inclusion and how our background and related experiences inform our roles within the NOVA community.

This is a unique opportunity to learn more about leadership, diversity, and inclusion topics to become a better leader.

Open to all NOVA Students & their Families with an annual household income of $64,000 or less. Eligible NOVA employees also welcome.

Register Today as Space is Limited!

IRS-certified volunteers will help ensure you receive the maximum tax refund and help determine if you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and other Educational Credits. All taxes are prepared and filed electronically using TurboTax or other software. Volunteers do not file taxes for you, but assist you in understanding and submitting your online application. Students can attend workshops at ANY campus. Taxes normally take about 1 hour to complete. Please plan appropriately. We will not begin a new tax return 30 mins before a workshop ends.

*International students cannot file taxes with us online. If you are an international student and you need help or have a question about your taxes, please attend the workshop. However, you will be informed that a paper tax return must be submitted.

Attend this workshop hosted once at each campus with NOVA’s Financial Professional & Coach, Diana Yacob. Learn about your tax refund, what it is, and how to make the most of the money you get back. Meet Diana and her background here: https://blogs.nvcc.edu/wssn/financial-educationcoaching/

Trying to find an internship? Looking for a job? Whether you are near a computer or on the go, a great place to begin your search is by accessingCollege Central Network(CCN) – NOVA’s online job board system.

The following are some benefits of using the system.

Search for jobs and other opportunities posted exclusively to NOVA. Take a look at many local positions available now.

Search for jobs on CCN’s Jobs Central® national job board. The job board contains over 500,000 opportunities from unique sources.

Check out CCN’s Intern Central® national internship board to search for internships.

Build a new resume with the Resume Builder feature.

Upload your resume and make it searchable to employers.

Check out over 1,000 career articles written by industry professionals.

View career videos and listen to over 25 career advice podcasts on topics including resume basics, interviewing, and personal branding.

Browse and sign-up for upcoming workshops, programs, and events at NOVA and in the surrounding area.

Are you looking for an opportunity to identify and develop your overall leadership skills?

ELI Student Life has created a virtual co-curricular opportunity to develop leadership skills for students! eLEAD is a 4-week asynchronous program delivered via Blackboard. The overall goal is to foster a sense of community among students taking online courses, to develop more self-awareness of leadership strengths and skills, and to help you maximize your talents as they relate to academic and professional goals.

This program is free and does not offer academic credit, however, students who participate will receive a certificate of completion. This is also a great resume builder!

Dates: February 26th – April 1st

(With a break week from March 12th -16th for spring break)

Time: Work at your own pace with weekly deadlines for group discussions and journal reflections.

* Spring eLEAD Series- ELI Student Life has created a virtual co-curricular opportunity to develop leadership skills for students! eLEAD is a 4-week asynchronous program delivered via Blackboard. The overall goal is to foster a sense of community among students taking online courses, to develop more self-awareness of leadership strengths and skills, and to help you maximize your talents as they relate to academic and professional goals. Register now!

* Join our Virtual Student Union. Are you taking online classes and looking to connect with other students outside of a classroom setting? Check out our Virtual Student Union or VSU. This is an engagement hub where ELI students have access to create a profile, join discussion forums and connect with other students. In celebration of our new site launch, students will be eligible for raffle prizes once they create an account and interact on the site. Drawings will be done weekly and monthly through the fall semester. Join now!

* Engage in your Community! We want to learn more about how NOVA ELI Students are engaging in the community! Email us at elistulife@nvcc.edu and tell us where and when you are volunteering and we will send you a FREE NOVA Student Life T-shirt to wear! Coming Soon! (Community volunteer booklet to learn more about the variety of non-profits participating and volunteer opportunities available)

College-wide event highlight:

Student Leadership Diversity Conference February 23. Join students from across the College for the Student Life Diversity Conference hosted on the Loudoun campus. You will have a unique opportunity to learn more about leadership, diversity, and inclusion topics to become a better leader. Register for the conference here: https://goo.gl/forms/yegh31zMbpyzeL372

The NOVA ELI Student Blog

The Extended Learning Institute (ELI) is the online learning program at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). We offer online courses in over 50 disciplines, with 20 Associate's degrees and 19 certificates available completely online, through ELI. ELI staff, faculty, and students write for ELIfe.